Energy intensity Archives

Broadly Sharing the Benefits of “Decarbonization”

July 27, 20177 years ago John Farrell 0 Comments

Last summer, I saw a presentation on “deep decarbonization” that outlined necessary changes in the US economy in order to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The presentation was fascinating, offering some very specific elements to focus our attention. For example, the following graphic shows the average number of replacements for various infrastructure types prior to the typical deadline of 2050. A hot water heater might be swapped three times by 2050, providing several opportunities to make it more efficient or switch its fuel source. Conversely, a power plant might be replaced once (if at all), and a new home is likely to still be in use past the 2050 deadline.

Energy Efficiency Policies Improve Global Energy Intensity In 2015, But Much More Work Needed

October 11, 20168 years ago Joshua S Hill 0 Comments

Despite improvement in global energy intensity in 2015 thanks to energy efficiency policies, global progress is still too slow, and more vigorous policies are required if climate targets are to be achieved. A new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) published on Monday highlights the progress that has been … [continued]

Global Energy Intensity Continues Long-Term Steady Decline

July 14, 20169 years ago Joshua S Hill 7 Comments

New figures from the US Energy Information Administration show that global energy intensity continued its twenty-five year decline in 2015. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), global energy intensity, measured as energy consumption per unit of GDP, has decreased by nearly one-third between 1990 and 2015. Further, energy … [continued]

Energy Efficiency Saves US Manufacturers $2.4 Billion

October 6, 20159 years ago silviomarcacci 2 Comments

Energy efficiency saved manufacturers $2.4 billion in five years and could top $10 billion in annual savings by 2020 through DOE’s Better Plants effort.

Renewables, Efficiency Take Flight In US Air Force Energy Strategy

April 10, 201312 years ago silviomarcacci 2 Comments

Unstable global energy supplies and greatly reduced federal funding might be the two biggest threats facing the US Air Force – but it looks like clean energy technology is the solution to both.

The USAF’s Energy Strategic Plan outlines a major shift toward energy efficiency, renewables, distributed generation and microgrids, and green building to “actively seek solutions to the energy challenges that pose a threat to our operations.”

Australian Electricity Emissions Intensity Drops Since Carbon Price

October 19, 201212 years ago Joshua S Hill 8 Comments

The Australian Minister for Climate Change has reported that the intensity of the country’s electricity generation emissions has fallen since the introduction of the carbon price in July. Greg Combet, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, revealed that “in the first three months of the carbon price, … [continued]

China to Simply Cap Coal Use Within 3 Years

March 8, 201213 years ago susan 8 Comments

Here’s a completely new approach to climate policy, from the always innovative China. Set a cap – not on carbon emissions, but – simply on lumps of coal. (Well, not on lumps of coal, exactly, but on tonnes of coal.) Once you use up your limit: that’s all there is. Stop … [continued]

EPA Submits Below-Average Plan to Cut its Own GHGs 25% by 2020

April 21, 201114 years ago susan 1 Comment

When it comes to passing laws to promote the switch to clean energy to prevent climate change, President Obama may have constitutionally limited powers, but one power he does have is the power to issue an executive order controlling the actions of all of our federal agencies – like the Departments of Defense, Energy, Justice, Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency.